Wednesday, January 7, 2009

The Sri Lanka Armed Forces have been told that the LTTE will be banned, according to a decision made at today's Cabinet Meeting. Exact details will be made available later.

Meanwhile the 58 and 53 Divisions are expected to meet up shortly as Pallai starts being vacated by the LTTE. Only a weak frontline remains at Palai presently, which will be overcome shortly. The 55 Division also marched south at Nagarkovil without any resistance. LTTE seems to have vacated these areas via the sea.

The Army is also expecting a large exodus of civilians, over 100,000 to start moving out of Puthukudiirippu- Vishwamadu areas. They expect to take charge of these civilians at Kilinochchi. The idea is to channel them to safety along the A-34.

Selva Did I asked you not to be a Tamil? Or not to worship you’re GOD? What I ask you was not to claim something what was never yours..

There might have been Tamil kingdoms in the past but there was Sinhala kingdoms too which ruled the whole island. So I maybe right to say that this land doesn’t belong to Tamils nor does Sinhalese. We all live in this land so this belongs to every one of us.

That’s why I asked you to be a Sri Lankan. If you want to hang on to your Elam that’s your wish but don’t expect any support from us.

Anyone who works against the unity of this nation is a regarded as a traitor... may it come Sinhala, Tamil or Muslim.. And there is no place for people like that in this land..

So be part of United Sri Lanka and work for prosperous future for everyone.. Or one day die knowing you’re a exile without a homeland..

hmmmmmmm..... the inability to trap and kill a few more terras than the 2 or 3 that we are doing as of now, is cause for concern... :-(

in open terrain like this, why cant our UAVs pin point their locations and MBRLS take them out? Hardened bunkers is the normal excuse given for not doing this, but when they are on the move withdrawing, I cant understand why this cant be done......(also MI24 attacks and Fuel air bombs from kafirs/Mig 27ths can be utilized to kill soft targets like troop concentrations..why isnt this not done??

Mahen's blog is filled with really interesting posts and comments. It gives the best entertainment dose. Here is an interesting comment from that blog (Copyright 2009 Bhairav.)

Bhairav said...

When SLA started its push in Mannar!

# of reasons why LTTE never started any counter attacks.

1. They were citing CFA as the obstacle for any counter attacks for some months. 2. Once CFA torn apart, we have to wait for Indian political situation. 3. Well, when the current Indian govern survived, they went for Obama factor. 4. Fierce counter attacks are coming after Nov 27, yes it is still coming. 5. Waiting for the monsoon season. 6. According to our idiot "thiru", LTTE's counter attacks won't start any time soon until VP loses his weight by at least 15 lbs. 7. If anyone can think on the foot, please let us know that what will be the next reason.

Serves the moda diaspora right for keeping their moda money coming in. Now live the rest of you live with the terrorist tag dumb dumb.This is what you get for having a moron as your leader. Its sad because most tamils arent terrorists to be fair.

Reason for LTTPussies tactical withdrawals:When the women fight and die, men cant get any. so they do a tactical withdrawal to where they have women so they can get some. Who can blame them really, men have their needs after all :D

In the T'net website, there is a feature called 'Flashback', which has news items for the day going back 10 years. I thought the following makes interesting reading from 2003. Check the names mentioned in the article.

Defunct’ SDN is shut down[TamilNet, Tuesday, 07 January 2003, 17:56 GMT]Following several unsuccessful meetings of the Sub-Committee on De-escalation and Normalisation (SDN), at which the Sri Lanka Army refused to reallocate its troops to pave the way for the resettlement of refugees, the Liberation Tigers and the Sri Lankan government Tuesday decided to shut down and discuss the matter in future at the direct talks between the two sides.

"The subcommittee (on de-escalation and normalisation) is suspended, " Mr. Anton Balasingham, the LTTE’s Chief Negotiator, said. He was speaking to reporters at the fourth round of talks between both sides which were being held in Bangkok, Thailand.

The SDN was one of two sub-committees set up at the second round of talks between the two sides which was also held in Bangkok in November.

The other body, the Sub-Committee on Immediate Humanitarian and Rehabilitation Needs (SIHRN), would continue to function and would now take up the issue of the resettlement of refugees, Mr. Balasingham said.

The SDN was set up to "examine ways and means to ensure resettlement, the return of private property and the resumption of economic activities in these areas." It was headed by Sri Lanka’s defense secretary, Mr. Austin Fernando, and LTTE’s Special COmmander for Batticaloa-Ampara, Col. Karuna.

The SDN was unable to progress amid refusals by the SLA Commander in Jaffna, Maj. Gen. Sarath Fonseka, to reallocate his troops and, most recently, a demand by him that the LTTE must disarm its troops and decommission its heavy weapons.

Arrival of our two of the most battle hardened division, namely 53rd and 55th divisions, to Vanni theater will doubly accelerate LTTE's demise. These two divisions contain soldier from 54th division also. Of course, the other divisions led by legendary 57th, 58th, and 59th divisions broke the deadlock in Muhummale-Nagarkovil axis. I hope that somebody will immortalize the historical moment the legendary 58th division shake hands with the legendary 53rd and 55th divisions on camera for our future chapters of the chronicles.

Ali,I think SLN let them escape Nagar Kovil because as once the going gets tough most of these forced recruits will give up arms and escape to SLA controlled areas as civilians. Otherwise with the shrinking coastal line to patrol SLN should have enough crafts to crush any escapees. I could be wrong.

Geee... That's why... I always refer to LTTE as 'Tamil terrorists'... most of the time...

SAY IT LOUD SO THAT WHOLE WORLD HEARS. IT'S FREE!

The fake 'Tamil' cause in Sri Lanka is sure to give us sorrow, pain and DDT... even after the Tamil terrorists are cooked 'well-done'.

I hope and pray that SPECTACULAR, BOLD AND INNOVATIV plans are already ready to totally SRILANKANIZE the North and the East.

If any Sri Lankan bloke has any doubt about this... ask yourself... how come Tamil Speaking Sri Lankans (TASSL) live everywhere with all the rights and responsibilities... but Sinhala Speaking Sri Lankans (SISSL) are PREVENTED from buying land and developing them in the RESOURCE-RICH NE.

duzz,machang that would be most welcome. because TF1/58th div have dont a great deal of clearing, first poonarin then paranthan. So it would be good if 53 or 55 could lend them a helping hand. If Narga Kovil was vacated without SLN's knowledge then I'm a bit concerned that we might be opening doors for an amphibious attack on Jaffna if too many troops leave peninsula to fight in wanni.

The bi-polar mania sufferer and Tamil Eelam's Hans Christian Anderson published a story a few days ago that sea tigers escaped by sea. We all made fun of him for publishing imaginary news. Now you are confirming what this joker mentioned in his blog. Is it really true that the cadres escaped by sea? What was the SLN doing allowing these low lifes to escape?

the news of nagarkovil tiggers evac from sea is very distressing indeed.

i think they just paddled along the shoreline using dinghy boats.. and we couldnt have stopped it even with our arrow boats.. cuz the arrows wont come really close to enemy shores cuz they would be running into the corsairs of an LMG,50 cal weapon or an RPG7..

im pretty sure the Navy is capable of intercepting any heavy sea faring machinery transporting their 122mm's or out of sri lanka incursions.

i doubt that the navy did not know or didn't do anything while these scum were escaping. in all probability they were allowed to escape for a strategic reason?

while this might sound silly, i think they might have been allowed to escape to avoid unnecessary casualties among the troops. we all know how bloody battles in the elephant pass area have been in the past - with or without the tigers' big guns. just my two cents.

බුරම්පිආතා,Tamilnet.tv?? what the?forget tv do they even have electricity? forget electricity man they're having to smuggle in batteries :)forget batteries, they rely on us to feed them buggers. Then they turn around and attack the hand that feed them. Just be sure not to make us too unhappy else you gonna go hungry pussycats! bad kitty

Those who talk about "boxing" pussycats in EPS should have a closer look in map. There is a road starting from right in the middle of EPS pussycat region and running towards eastern coast. No part of the rd is under our control. And UAV can't do much as they can use night for moving.

Those who talk about "boxing" pussycats in EPS should have a closer look in map. There is a road starting from right in the middle of EPS pussycat region and running towards eastern coast. No part of the rd is under our control. And UAV can't do much as they can use night for moving.

"Sounds like 58th may take Puthu town too although every division is heading that way."

Thought Gen Sarath Fonseka said puthu would be the final battle ground? Looks like all the divisions/TFs are gathering there abouts for the showdown while at the same time ripping through everything on their path.

Sea is no go area for SLN. Did n't you get the answer when those arms got shifted recently.

Disguised as fishing trawlers pussycats unloaded some bulks and here you, another diaspora hallucination extend that to a "no go area". We all know SLN march there. And I was asking why fleeing pussycats chose sea whereas the road was available for them. I didn't ask "go" or "no-go" details. They are haunting engmas of past glory in your mind.

Thought Gen Sarath Fonseka said puthu would be the final battle ground? Looks like all the divisions/TFs are gathering there abouts for the showdown while at the same time ripping through everything on their path.

SF said? Never trust what you hear about his forward plans. SF is a man of his words, but not a man who would give away a single word. Rem the way he sent pussycats "kade" before capturing pooneryn.

dw is shooting in the dark.most of u may not agree due to hatred of mahen, but he was right few ocassions.1.they withdrew by the effort of their commandos by sea.2.fonseka's concern about naval operation3.LTTE internal conflicts4.2day he said 58 hasnt crossed to eps (as opposed to dw)- he is right and many bloggers agreed earlier.

he is not a joker as v think.he may only b 30 percent truth, but he's not as hilarious as people think!

"I had just concluded my daily beach walk at 7,15pm from Mt Lavinia Hotel side to Dehiwela and back , when I did hear a bomb exploding near by . I rushed home and got to know it was by the railway tracks in Mt Lavinia No casualties are still reported - another close call !

It is ironical that I missed the SLAF suicide killer exploding himself last Friday evening by 400 meters aprox close to the former Ramada Renaissance Hotel Colombo 2."

Clearly, we all know that LTTE is in Mulaithevu, so go get them and try to get rid of them if you can? Before that don’t make any big noises!

Don’t you see it coming? LTTE wanted you to take Kilinochi, so the world can show its true face, and now it did, US, India and Britain has shown its true face, UNP has shown its true face. All the Sinhala people has shown their true face…

So now, its up to the Tamils to decide, there were many on the middle side, now they will have to chose one side, and this will pave the path for many things to unfold in the coming days.

Thank you Mahinda and the SLA for showing the Tamils the true face of the so called mediators and well-wishers of the Tamils!

Follow the path of LTTE’s withdrawal. you will see which side the victory resides!

I think we missed a golden opportunity to do some harvesting in the M/N/K front. The navy is unable and/or unwilling to take on targets close to the shore due to the threat posed by land-based weapons including .50 AA guns. This really sucks.

On the positive side, these events will free up the 53 and possibly the 55 to join the Wanni front. However, we'll now have to deal with the terras in the jungles and make sure they don't blending in with IDPs and escape.

Ninja said... After 30 years billion $$ guerrilla, conventional, suicidal war.. here is the final result.. the greatest achievement..

LTTE successfully withdraw from EPS... Ha Ha

the point here is arrogance, which is never a good thing. i think prabha and his motely crew became too cocky for their own good resulting in them committing the fatal blunders which has brought them to their knees now.

i think we could learn a lesson from this as well and keep our expectations in check as we smell victory around the corner. let's go in with our eyes and ears open and not fall into any complacency amidst all this euphoria.

Don’t you see it coming? LTTE wanted you to take Kilinochi, so the world can show its true face, and now it did, US, India and Britain has shown its true face, UNP has shown its true face. All the Sinhala people has shown their true face…

OMG, so it was all part of "GRAND PLAN" by Thalaivar after all....!

Oh Jeeez, how daft we were not to see through such a brilliant plan by Rt. Hon Velu.

Thalaivar shrunk Peelam by 95% just so that he can educate his Super Intelligent Peelam followers which side US, UK and India was!

WOW! WOW! WOW! Fantastic military strategy! BRILLIANT! MAGNIFICENT!!!

But folks, WAIT, that's not all!!!

Mustering all his 8 grade learned wisdom, Thalaivar will next "strategically" shrink Peelam by 100% to prove to his super intelligent followers that Britney Spears is actually a Sinhaloid supporter...!

@Blucher Sorry, I forgot.There can never be an internal conflict with LTTE leadership - by design.

Those who disagreed are already in Eelam - 6 feet under ground.

" There is no conflict in LTTE. Anyone who was capable of independent thought to potentially disagree with VP was tactically withdrawn to keep company with Thamilselvan, Balasingham, Balraj, Shanker etc"

SLA trap (SLN block) cadres in EPS, KMN, Mullathiv and other remaining areas and annihilate all of them including VP and top LTTP leaders and recover TAF, heavy guns and all other military stuff.

Now this is the dream of many guys here including me. But there is no way this can happen with a terrorist outfit which survived for 30 years.

Hence, let me give a 'most probable scenario'.

Sc 2

LTTE will try their maximum to delay SLA advance as much as possible by building earth bunds and using civilians as a shield. Expectation is some luck with TN, India, BJP, Obama, economy or some thing.

[Recall Rohana Wijeweera was Aththanayaka Mudalali, when he was captured]

--Long term--

5. Hard core cadres spread all over wanni and settle down together with IDPs6. Guerrilla attacks and make more SLA casualties [Note in such claymore attacks xx casualties to SLA and zero LTTE casualties]7. Accuse SLA/ GSL for 'civilian abductions, harrasment' etc while int. media, HR fronts do the propaganda8. Demand peelaam via political front

Sc 2 seems like a worst case scenario too. If we rate Sc 1 as 10 points and Sc 2 as 1 point its up to GSL and SLDF to be closer as much as possible to 10 points.

Elaam 'love triangle' can be slowly annihilated with many cunning moves, we have in hand. Cat and mouse… baby… cat and mouse…. Now who said that there going to be ‘guerilla’ warfare? Wishful thinking! WE SHALL SEE!

The civvies must be protected at any cost.

Full credit to GOSL leaders for the excellently executed strategy in decapitating this band of barbaric Tamil terrorists... who only destroyed the country, responsible for 70,000 deaths.

I didn't forget white vans. SLA will do it but at the same time no one can stop pro-LTTE media (BBC etc) propaganda and other int. factors. So we will not have a free environment similar to Premadasa had that time.

I believe the critical factor is 'intel' which relates to civilians. SLDF should be smart in this regard.

PS.

This is where I support larger army. For post war SL we need to recruit at least another 75,000 to SLA to defend whole SL from potential LTTE guerrilla attacks. Any reduction of SLA will be an invitation to LTTE hit and run games. I think any military need more troops to defend territory than capturing the same.

Yes, we need quality. Who said to increase only the quantity without considering the quality? Also, SLN and SLAF should be strengthen in long term. But in short term we need to expand SLA if we need peace and don't need LTTE build up again.

The statement: The fall of Kilinochchi represents an important point in the 25-year war that has divided Sri Lanka.

We hope that this event will help hasten an end to the conflict.

The U.S. believes that a lasting, sustainable peace can best be achieved if the Sri Lankan Government works now to reach a political solution that addresses the aspirations of all Sri Lankans, including Tamils, Muslims, and Sinhalese.

The United States does not advocate that the Government of Sri Lanka negotiate with the LTTE, a group designated by the United States since 1997 as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. However, we do believe that a broad range of other Tamil voices and opinions must be brought into a political process to reach a political solution that Tamils inside and outside of Sri Lanka see as legitimate.

This will help assure Tamils that their rights are protected, that they have a say over important areas of their lives in geographical areas in which they predominate, and that they are an integral and respected part of an undivided Sri Lanka.

At the same time, such as process would further delegitimize and erode the support of the LTTE in Sri Lanka and abroad.

[A statement from the Defence Ministry said here that troops continued their offensive march further eastwards after capturing Paranthan and entered Murasumoddai township despite stiff resistance from the LTTE.

“Gaining control over the Murasumoddai junction, located along the Paranthan-Mullathivu main road, 5 km east of Paranthan, would be strategically vital for the troops as it creates new escaping routes for the Tamil civilians under LTTE hold,” the statement said.]

Look at the 3rd line from the bottom and find how careless the official who made the statement has been.

Can someone tell me the need for the word 'Tamil' there? Why cannot we refer to them as just civilians?This is totally unwarranted.

When can we get some sensible, realistic and patriotic officials to make these statements... with a view to be inclusive of all as Sri Lankans?

These are the clues the foreign vultures LOVE AND ADORE!

We we classify civilians as such... of course there's a separate nation on the island... and the vultures would be talking to those 'Tamils' by now.

Guys, I see a connection between Mahens "SLA Infiltration Attempt Thwarted - Puthukkudyiruppu" article and our blame on SLN.

Mahen has some relationship with LTTP. Therefore his article reflects the needs of LTTP. These days, LTTP needs some conflicts in SLDF. Therefore, I think they have fabricated this story of escaping via sea to create a tension between SLA and SLN. As sujeewa mentioned, LTTP still has land supply route to MKN area.

A proclamation by His Excellency the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka

WHEREAS an organization known as the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam has been continuously engaged in acts of terrorism and others acts of violence with the primary objective of unlawfully establishing a separate sovereign State in the Northern and Eastern Provinces of Sri Lanka;

AND WHEREAS, such acts of terrorism have included engaging in an illegal internal armed conflict with members of the armed forces and the police of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka;

AND WHEREAS, acts of terrorism and other acts of violence perpetrated by the aforementioned organization known as the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam have been involved in the assassination and attempted assassination of persons holding high political office, members of the security forces and the police force, public servants and civilians and of causing damage to property belonging to the State and to private property;

AND WHEREAS, the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Democratic Socialistic Republic of Sri Lanka has been threatened by these continuous acts of terrorism and other acts of violence perpetrated by the said organization known as the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, and such as acts have endangered the interests of public security, the preservation of public order, and the maintenance of supplies and services essential to the life of the community.

AND WHEREAS notwithstanding the promulgation of the Emergency (Prevention and Prohibition of Terrorism and Specified Terrorists Activities) Regulations No.07 of 2006 the organization known as the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam has continued to engaged in terrorism and other acts of violence;

AND WHEREAS, repeated requests made to the aforesaid organization known as the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam to eschew terrorism and other acts of violence and to lay down arms, surrender and participate in the democratic process for the purpose of resolving disputes and developing and adopting lawful and democratic processes and solutions for the resolution of the problems faced by the citizens of Sri Lanka, have been disregarded:

AND WHEREAS , repeated requests made by the Government of Sri Lanka and by segments of the international community to the said organization known as the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam to refrain from holding, keeping or confining civilians living within the Northern and Eastern Provinces of Sri Lanka , by force or other means, or thereafter to use such civilians as human shields and consequently place the life and liberty of such civilians in danger, and also to prevent or obstruct the supply of emergency treatment and assistance and humanitarian relief to such civilians;

AND WHERES, repeated requests made by the Government of Sri Lanka to the organization known as Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam to permit civilians trapped or confined in areas unlawfully controlled by the said Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam to leave such areas and move into areas under the control of the security forces, have been disregarded;

AND WHEREAS, the said organization known as the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam continues, to unlawfully conscript civilians, including women and children, as fighting carders of the said organization and thereby endangers the life and liberty of such civilians:

AND WHERES, acts of terrorism and other acts of violence perpetrated by the organization known as the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam and its conduct orchestrated for the purpose of collecting funds to perpetrate acts of terrorism, and its activities relating to the procurement and smuggling of arms, ammunition and explosives, has the potential of adversely affecting international and regional peace and security and law and order of other sovereign nation;

AND WHEREAS, in order to eliminate the scourge of terrorism from the world, it is necessary for all sovereign states to criminalize terrorism and proscribe without exception organizations engaged in the perpetration of terrorism;

Now THEREFORE it has become necessary to proscribe the said organization known as the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam and to provide for the proscribing of other organizations that are connected with or which are representing or acting on behalf of the organization known as the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam and which have therefore become prejudicial to the interests of public security , the preservation of public order and the maintenance of supplies and services essential to the life of the community, His Excellency the President intends promulgating regulations in terms of the Public Security Ordinance(Chapter 40).

Given at Colombo, on this 7th day of January Two Thousand Nine.

By His Excellency's Command, signed by Secretary to the President, Lalith Weeratunga.

says the following about the abandonment of the previous plan of the LTTE to remain and fight at the N-M-K Jaffna front:

[Suddenly, a change of plan seems to have occurred. “Why” ? is yet an unknown.

A plausible reason may be the belated realisation that the army could move further east of the A-9 in a push parallel to the A-35 or Paranthan-Mullaitheevu road and seal off the coastal areas adjacent to the Chundikulam lagoon.

If and when that happened the existing supply route to the peninsula would be knocked out, rendering entrapped cadres in the peninsula vulnerable.]

This is the strategy I had recommended to expel and/or cutoff the LTTE from the Jaffna peninsula in several previous posts at this blog.

"ReallyCold said... Do we have a nice financial or other reward system to encourage people to provide information on LTTE?

Obviously, people has to trust the government first to provide that kind of info even for money."

This is an important question, as it is the lynch-pin of intelligence. There are two ways to do this, one short-term and easy, and the other long-term and hard. Naturally, the easy method has weakness.

In the short-term high financial rewards can lead to the creation of a network of 'moles,' who will report on the local LTTE activities early. Naturally, if the other side gives more money and a ticket to Scarborough, you have a problem.

The longer term approach is more solid. Rather than money, you provide an ideal for which certain people will buy into and hence be loyal to Sri Lanka. Gee, what can that be?

If you up for some entertainment, please visit Mahen's blog. It seems that there are many patriots making fun out of Mahen there and only few terrorists are following it. It is a long time since I had a laugh like that.

If SLA want to trap tigers in the peninsula they have to fully clear the bpttom of the Jaffna 'neck' until east coast and use naval blockade. This is almost impossible to do in a sudden. Also, at least when Paranthan falls (probably, well before that) LTTE knew what was their plan thus they had enough time to withdraw from Jaffna. Thus, every single cadre they lost in Jaffna and every ammo they wasted, lost .. all their failures in withdrawal.

what dbsj says can be corroborated by other evidence like lack of harvest.

"One is for the cadres to move eastwards to the Vadamaratchy east coast where sea tiger boats transport them to the Mullaitheevu coast.

The other is for cadres to go to the south-eastern area to a place called Kombaatty and then go across the lagoon to Ooriyaan on the mainland."

so CLEARLY SLDFs are not following a HARVESTING strategy. SLN is totally silent. i recon they ACTIVELY allow tigers to flee following the chase-away strategy that has worked so far. why? why? why?

toiletnet reported SLAF attacks on the chundikulam area. the lagoon/villu/sanctuary area would DEFINITELY be a supply route.

i disagree with dbsj on the assertion that wars are not won by evacuations. as far as the LTTE is concerned it can well be. for them surviving another day is a victory especially now when cadre shortage is seriously affecting them.

LTTE needs the same competency to move the other way too! (plus SLN inactivity).

Why some bloggers are as they are – Excerpts from a prominent weekly magazine:

Part I - General:

Darwin’s insight, life is about two things: survival and reproduction. Of the two, the second is the more significant. To put is crudely, the only Darwinian point of survival is reproduction. As a consequence, much of daily existence is about showing off, subtly or starkly, in ways that attract members of the opposite sex and intimidate those of the same sex.

Men do it more than women, status and hierarchy matter and in modern society, status is mediated by money.

Girls have always liked a rich man, of course. Darwinians used to think this was due to his ability to provide materially for their children. No doubt that is part of it. But the thinking among evolutionary biologists these days is that what is mainly going on is a competition for genes, not goods. High-status individuals are more likely to have genes that promote health and intelligence, and members of the opposite sex have been honed by evolution to respond accordingly. A high-status man will get more opportunities to mate. A high-status woman can be more choosy about whom she mates with.

For men, at least, this is demonstrably true. Status, though, is always relative: it is linked to money because it drives the desire to make more of the stuff in order to outdo the competition. This is the ultimate engine of economic growth. Since status is a moving target, there is no such thing as enough money.

While on average rich people are happier than poor people within a country, average happiness does not increase as that country gets richer. Though the economic growth makes everybody better off, it does not matter that some are better off than others-does not stand up, at least if “better off” is measured in terms of happiness What actually matters, Darwinism suggest, is that a free society allows people to rise through the hierarchy by their own efforts.

Conversely, the Darwinian explanation of continued support for socialism – in the teeth of evidence that it result in low economic growth-is that even though making the rich poorer would not make the poor richer in financial terms, it would change hierarchy in ways that people at the bottom would like.

Would you rather earn $100,000 when all your friends earn $50,000, or $150,000 when every body else earns $300,000? The reason socialism does not work in practice is that this not a question that most people ask, but how to earn $300,000 when all around them are earning $50,000!

A Darwinian analysis does, however, support one argument frequently made by the left and rejected by the right. This is that poverty is relative. The argument is that once economic growth has lifted a country out of penury, its inhabitants are likely to live longer, healthier lives, if there are not huge differences between their incomes. This means that poorer countries with low income-variation can outscore richer ones with high variation. It is also true that those at the bottom of social hierarchies have worse health than those at the top- even when all other variables are statistically eliminated, including the fact that those who are healthier are more likely to rise to the top in the first place.

Darwinists have worked out that any competition has winners and losers. The illuminating point is that loosing has a real cost, not just the absence of gain, with the stakes this high-early death for failures and genetic continuity for the success-it is hardly surprising that those at the bottom of the heap sometimes seek violence, or at least use foul language and social disruption.

That crime is selfish, is hardly news, but the idea that criminal or violent behaviour is an evolved response to loosing hopes along with status sounds shocking.

Most violence (and thus most murder, which is simply violence’s most extreme expression) is a consequence of competition between young, unemployed, unmarried men.

Of course in a blog committing violence is out of the question but ruthless attack on fellow bloggers with filthy language is similar to committing violence and murder in real life.

My guess is they will soon be 'upgraded' to 'civilian status' within next 6 months and do what they used to do (killing humans) as and when they can for another 5 or so years until when SLA finish off. Well, if they choose otherwise.. i.e. to fight unto death.. wow.. that's it... what we want..

As I said before, SLDF cannot counter all changes in a the battle field. LTTP has lot of experience and some brains too. So, they keep on changing their tactics to suite changing environments. We cannot kill a retreating enemy that easily.

Still LTTP has a large enough are covered with thick bush to fight back. They may be thinking counter attacks and killing more SLA troops are much easier in close proximities. Well they have at least did it with IPKF.

Our special forces are in much better shape than IPKF in 90s. As I see, all LTTP plans failed so far.

They are not in a position to start fresh attack far away from present FDL, at least not a major one.

I think our grand chess master and his trusted commanders are ready for all eventualities that may arise in coming weeks.

3. all the offensive divisions (except the new 59) of the SLA would be in the area from kokavil to chundikulam VERY SOON.

4. from the south of my territory they have tf2, tf3 & tf4 which are smaller than a division. 59 is relatively new and cornered into the mula coastline.

5. mmmmmm.....

6. what if i penetrate their fdl (fdl? my arse) from kokavil and cut-off the 57 & 58 on one hand and whack trinco or trinco-kks bound ships AND land my cocksuckers into nagarkovil to take on the rear of 53 & 55???

taking their BIG supply routes is enough. 3 times meals, truckloads of rm-70 rockets, fighters, fuel every day. that is periya BIG!

they can't have 10 different routes. from the est only one sea route and since 57 and 58 have merged, it is economical for them to have ONE supply route.

7. bcos of SF's aggression he has deployed the best fighters at the front and others at the back. in cleared areas he has new recruits who are there to earn a quick buck.

8. if 53, 55, 57 and 58 are cut-off, there is NOTHING 59 can do. very little tf-2/3/4 can do.

9. then my thangachchis in the south can blow me, i mean blow themselves up.

I think they have choice as long as the flock of sheep's and lambes they are herding at gun point is obeying. When the peelam area get shrinked to 50% of prsent teritory, they will face riots and riots will lead to disintegration of command structure.

That is also the best way to eliminate both the leadership and seperatism movement all together.

Pansilu Machan (long time no see),Interesting read. I am not sure what relevance it has to defence. I am sure we can cook up some reason.

Thanks for posting something neutral. Please don't attack other bloggers unless they are specifically uttering propaganda against SL or if they are attacking an identified patriot. And don't keep pursuing individuals in a derogatory. Once, twice, that's enough. Pursuing someone to get intelligence in a subtle manner. A different kettle of fish.

I say these with the kindest intentions. You have been upgraded to patriot level one! Courtesy Humble MR (Humble(R) copyright oAo Asthiri heh heh).

I think we should call truce for the sake of Mother Lanka. How about it bro?

I have no intention of quitting with out accomplishing the goal. Sorry, bro, I don’t need to count rungs of patriotic ladder either because competition to be the best patriot is not in my priority list.

I will not attack anybody unless somebody tries to dictate terms to a fellow blogger.

Your call for truce is accepted on the sake of mother land.

I read your posts with an interest irrespective to my responses on them.

Looks like Sri Lanka's economic collapse comming very soon. Also are you with or against the BJP if it decides to attack Pakistan. Thanks to Satyam drop, BJP rises even further. There can be just too much of a good thing can there.

We must think as Sri Lankans and not let India dictate to us. You say that 100,000 civilians will be dispaced. These are obviously Tamils and in whose name this war is waged.Is it too late to come to a compromise with the LTTE although they are engaged in "guerrilla" warfare basically since Tamil aspirations were not met with political solutions by the dominant Sinhalal govt. Chauvinism apart we are talking of Sri Lankan lives be they soldiers on the frontline or Tamils LTTE cadres sacrificing lives. Capturing areas and glorifying battle success will only lend ammo to partisan politics and those profiteering from war economy.Am I being naive?

"Is it too late to come to a compromise with the LTTE although they are engaged in "guerrilla" warfare"

It's too late for the LTTE. Thalaivar had a chance to reach a "compromise" during the CFA period and he blew it. Now he's on a one-way road to the Great Concrete Bunker in the Sky (Eelam Heaven). The Tamils should find someone else to follow- the earlier the better.

Nalin de Silva's rubbish remains rubbish. I agree with paragraph 2 and 3, and para 4 was incoherent.

Once again he blames the Tamils for everything in the rest of his op-ed, repeating his usual crap that the Tamils don't have a history in SL more than 200 years (Mayilravana ayya- are you Prof. Nalin??), an argument that has absolutely nothing to do with the LTTE.

//3. 53 and 55 plan to come down and going to meet somewhere north of the A35 south of EPS. 55 also have to come here as there are no other roads eastwards//

Wrong 55 will guard the neck from EP to Mullian while 53 join 58 covering lagoon side again hand in hand.

//4. from this location to areas 57 is operating is max 40km.//

Completely wrong! Even from Iranamadu to murusamoddai is about 06km and Murusomoddai to Lagoon is about 04 km. Once 57 pass Iranamadu tank total battle front will be less than 20km because TF3 is advancing south to the tank towards KILI-Mulative road.

//6. now i understand that 57 and 58 are dispersed in a larger area. but their best fighters are at the front for obvious reasons.//

Wrong again 53, 58 and 57 will be dispersed in less than 20km area. If you remember Nachchikudh-Akkarayan- Kili battle, 58 and 57 were stretched more than 25km and faced severe counter attacks. Now, 03 divisions spread in 20km is nothing.

Can you please give us some idea about our strategy at EP? Why is 58 not getting aggressive there to cut-off LTTE routs, I mean box them and annihilate the trapped cadre? It looks very puzzling to me, hopefully, lots of things are happening behind the scene. Please give us an update a time permits.

sam,I think it's to minimise our casualties.if they wanna leave let the scared pussies leave.Later it'll be easier to wipe them out in one go when they're concentrated in and around mullaThat's my 2 cents anyway

Get a good sleep,You started hallucinating like our bi-polar friends from the other side.

Best medicine is a good sleep.

Do not think a moment that 55 and 53 both will come down to main land leaving P'sula vulnerable!

Mulliyan is extreme south of the p'sula neck, not in main land.

We need to guard P'sula neck until 53 and 58 goes to Chundikulam.

If I were in vesapille's shoes, I will loose my weight, grow my hair and beared, use some cosmetics to see like a 70 year old man. Then I will join IDP and limp to a nearest army check point with a white flag leaving others to the do or die battle.

I don't agree with him when he says the problem is over and APRC should be dissolved.

I know you don't agree with him for the history part but what he says about after 1900 seems correct for me. I am no history expert but considering the present events its not hard for a non-expert to make conclusions on historical events few decades ago.

/Any particular reason you posted Prof. Nalin's article here, Ninja?/

I posted it as I saw some relevance to defence matters from an academic out side of the subject, contrast to say, BRaman and expecting some including you might give some feedback.

He always insisted on the following two things which is subjected arguments and seems he is correct.

# "It was only the other day that Shanie advocated a ceasefire for the Christmas."

# "We were able to see through it and had written on number of times that if the government were to say no to the demands by the west firmly then there was nothing that the latter could do."

(I don't oppose cease fires or west on a permanent or unilateral basis but believe we should do things according to ground conditions. I believe his stand also would be the same even though I never seen him saying so.)

So many soldires lost their lives to gain about 500m when they broke into 1st defence line @muhamalai a month or so ago. Now they're moving forward with relative ease after parantha's fall. Which make you think, should we not have waited for paranthan to fall before moving forward into a heavily fortified area. Mind you it's always easier to be picky with 20/20 hindsight.